A 16-year-old school student has pleaded guilty to planning a terrorist bombing targeting the Sydney Opera House during the 2024 Sydney Marathon, the New South Wales supreme court heard on Tuesday. The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, gave evidence about his radicalisation and the detailed planning of the attack.
Radicalisation through social media
The boy told the court he was first exposed to extremist material on TikTok in 2024 when he was 14, initially drawn to historical accounts of conquests. “It was historical … the time of the Crusaders, empires a long time ago,” he said. Over time, the videos became more violent, including content about the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and Islamic State propaganda.
He then began communicating with others on the encrypted app Telegram about his desire to learn about committing terrorism. When asked by his barrister, Michael Valentin, if he liked talking to them, the teen replied: “Yes, I found it interesting … [they were] a new group of people, I was trying to relate to them.”
Planning the attack
The teenager researched how to bomb the Sydney Opera House on the day of the Sydney Marathon, which serves as the finish line for the race. He said the idea came from watching videos of the 2013 Boston Marathon attack, where three people were killed and more than 500 injured by two bombs at the finish line. He told someone online: “I am picking the location, places where lots of people and tourists are out. I will test and then do the operation, inshallah.”
His justification was contained in a written message that said: “the country I am living in helped America evade Iraq and Afghanistan and killed many Muslims.” Despite the planning, he said he was only “50/50” about whether he would carry out the bombing and spoke of a “little voice” in his head trying to persuade him against it.
Sentencing hearing
In court, the teen said he disavowed everything Islamic State stands for and held no extreme views. “I’m deeply sorry for the things I did,” he told Justice Stephen Campbell. “Please show me some remorse.” His lawyer urged for a non-custodial sentence, noting the teen has been on bail under strict home detention since November 2024 and has been allowed to attend events under his parents’ supervision, including the Vivid festival and the Royal Easter Show.
“Clearly, we have before you a young man who … has seen the errors of his ways,” Valentin said. “Thankfully he is now out of the rabbit hole.” Crown prosecutor Sophie Callan SC acknowledged the “candid” evidence but argued there is no other appropriate possibility than a term in custody. “There remains a level of naivety in expressions of insight … that would leave Your Honour with a degree of caution,” she said. Justice Campbell will deliver the sentence on 29 October.
